Method and system for message notification

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for message notification are described. A video message is received from a source access device. A selection of a target user may be received for the video message. A message notification of availability of the video message for a target access device associated with the target user may be provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/487,293, filed Sep. 16, 2014, now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2015/0007203, which is a continuation of and claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/863,652, filed Sep. 28,2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,869,181. The contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference into this application as if set forth hereinin full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This application relates to a method and system for network delivery ofmedia content, and more specifically to methods and systems formessaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Sending messages with a selected media clip to authorized users over anetwork may involve issues of user authorization to receive theinformation as well as issues relating to whether the user desires toreceive the media clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example content system according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example messenger that may be deployedin the content system of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example access device that may bedeployed in the content system of FIG. 1 according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for message notification inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating a method for enabling sourcemessaging in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating a method for providing a videomessage in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIGS. 9-11 are flowcharts illustrating a method for enabling targetmessaging in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for message notification inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts illustrating a method for enablingmessaging in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method for notification processingin accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for message unitization inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for notifying in accordancewith an example embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an IPTV system in which the content systemof FIG. 1 may be deployed in accordance with an example embodiment; and

FIG. 19 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a machine in theexample form of a computer system within which a set of instructions forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein may be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example methods and systems for message notification are described. Inthe following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of example embodiments. It will be evident, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details.

In an example embodiment, a video message may be received from a sourceaccess device. A designation of a target user for the video message maybe received. A message notification of availability of the video messagefor a target access device associated with a target user may be providedto the target user.

In an example embodiment, a selection of a video message may bereceived. The selected video message may be uploaded to a messenger. Adesignation of a target user for the selected video message may bereceived from a sender. A message notification of availability of theselected video message for an access device associated with the targetuser may be provided.

In an example embodiment, a message notification associated with a videomessage on an access device may be received. A plurality of viewingselections associated with the video message may be provided forselection through the access device. A viewing selection of theplurality of viewing selections may be accessed for the video message. Amessage viewing request may be provided to the messenger based on thereceipt of the viewing selection. The video message may be received fromthe messenger in response to the providing of the message viewingrequest.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example content system 100. A source access device102 may upload a video message to a messenger 108 over a providernetwork 104. The video message may be a sequence of images and one ormore associated audio tracks. The video message may be provided in ahigh quality video stream (e.g., MPEG-4) that is transcoded by themessenger 108 (e.g., into H.264) for distribution to the access devices106, 114. The video message may include standard definition (SD) or highdefinition (HD) video signals in NTSC (National Television SystemCommittee), PAL (Phase Alternation Line), SECAM (Systeme ElectroniqueCouleur Avec Memoire), sequence of bitmaps or other signal formats thattransport a sequence of images. The form of the video message may beotherwise modified to enable implementations of various formats andresolutions.

The messenger 108 may enable distribution of the video message to one ormore target users. The messenger 108 may save an uploaded video message112 in memory or in the database 110. The messenger 108 may provide amessage notification to a target access device 106. The video messagemay be streamed for viewing through the target access device 106 (e.g.,on a display device associated with the target access device 106), savedon the target access device 106, or otherwise utilized. The messagenotification and/or the video message may be provided to an additionalaccess device 114 associated with the user of the target access device106.

The provider network 104 may be a television distribution network,Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, an InternetProtocol (IP) network, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) network,and/or a WiFi network. Other networks may also be used.

Examples of the access devices 102, 106, 114 include a set-top box(STB), a receiver card, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a display device, a portable gaming unit, and a computing system;however other devices may also be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example messenger 108 that may be deployed in thecontent system 100 (see FIG. 1) and/or another system.

The messenger 108 may include an authorization module 202, a messagereceiver module 204, a designation receiver module 206, a profile module208, a notification provider module 210, a person verification module212, a credit adjustment module 214, a verification receiver module 216,a payment verification module 218, a request receiver module 220, aconfiguration determination module 222, a device identification module224, a senders list module 226, and/or a message provider module. Othermodules may also be used.

The authorization module 202 receives an authorization request from thesource access device 102, authorizes the source access device 102 toupload the video message, and/or provides an authorization to the sourceaccess device 102.

The message receiver module 204 receives a video message from the sourceaccess device 102. The designation receiver module 206 receives adesignation of a target user for a video message.

The profile module 208 accesses a user profile associated with thetarget user of the target access device 106. The user profile mayinclude a device selection of the target access device 106 from a numberof access devices 300 associated with the target user.

The notification provider module 210 provides a message notification ofavailability of the video message to the target user for the targetaccess device 106 associated with the target user. The messagenotification may be provided to the target access device 106 inaccordance with the user profile.

The person verification module 212 verifies that a sender associatedwith the source access device 102 has sufficient credit to upload thevideo message and/or that the target user has sufficient credit toreceive the selected video message. For example, the credit may beassociated with a dollar amount for each video message uploaded and/orreceived, the credit may be associated with a subscription level, and/orthe credit may be for video messages of a certain size. Other types ofcredit may also be used.

The credit adjustment module 214 adjusts credit of the sender based onthe upload of the video message and/or the credit of the target userbased on the providing of the video message.

The verification receiver module 216 receives a verification requestfrom the sender. The payment verification module 218 provides paymentverification in accordance with the adjusting of the credit of thesender performed by the credit adjustment module 214.

The request receiver module 220 receives a message viewing requestand/or or a message download request from the target user of the messagenotification. The configuration determination module 222 determines aconfiguration of the target access device 106.

The device identification module 224 identifies the additional accessdevice 114 associated with the target user. The senders list module 226accesses a selected senders list associated with the target user and/ordetermines whether a sender of the video message is included on theselected senders list.

The message provider module 228 provides the video message to the targetuser. The video message may be streamed for viewing and/or provided forstorage. The video message may be provided to the target access device106 and/or the additional access device 114.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example access device 300 that may be deployed asthe source access device 102, the target access device 106 and/or theadditional access device 114 in the content system 100 (see FIG. 1)and/or another system.

The access device 300 may include a sending subsystem 302 and/or areceiving subsystem 304. Other subsystems may also be used.

The sending subsystem 302 may include a message recording module 306, aselection receiver module 308, an authentication module 310, averification module 312, a message upload module 314, a selectionprovider module 316, a listing module 318, a target user designationmodule 320, a profile module 322, and/or a notification provider module324. Other modules may also be used.

The message recording module 306 records one or more video messagesthrough a camera interface on the source access device 102. Theselection receiver module 308 receives a selection of a selected videomessage.

The authentication module 310 provides an authorization request toauthorize the sender to upload the selected video message and/orreceives an authorization confirmation in response to the authorizationrequest.

The verification module 312 provides a verification request to verifythat a sender has sufficient credit to upload the selected video messageand/or receives payment verification in response to the verificationrequest

The message upload module 314 uploads the selected video message to themessenger 108. The uploading of the selected video message to themessenger 108 may be based on the receiving of the authorizationconfirmation from the authentication module 310 and/or paymentverification from the verification module 312.

The selection provider module 316 provides a number of video messagesassociated with a user account for selection. The listing module 318provides a buddy list for presentation. The buddy list may include anumber of target users.

The target user designation module 320 receives a designation of atarget user for the selected video message from a sender. Thedesignation of the target user may be from the buddy list. The profilemodule 322 accesses a user profile associated with a user of the sourceaccess device 102.

The notification provider module 324 provides a message notification ofavailability of the selected video message for the target access device106. The message notification may be provided to a selected device(e.g., the target access device 106 and/or the additional access device114) based on the user profile.

The receiving subsystem 304 may include a notification receiver module326, a restricted content module 328, a list verification module 330, asender authorization module 332, a viewing selection module 334, aselection access module 336, a credit verification module 338, a requestproviding module 340, a message receiver module 342, a videopresentation module 344, a preview module 346, a storage module 348, anavailability indication module 350, a user indication module 352, aprofile access module 354, and/or a message providing module 356. Othermodules may also be used.

The notification receiver module 326 receives a message notificationassociated with a video message on the target access device 106. Therestricted content module 328 determines whether the video messagecontains restricted content.

The list verification module 330 verifies that a sender of the videomessage is on an approved senders list associated with the target user.The sender authorization module 332 notifies an additional userregarding the message notification and/or receives a senderauthorization from the additional user.

The viewing selection module 334 provides a number of viewing selectionsassociated with the video message for selection through the targetaccess device 106. The providing of the viewing selections may be inaccordance with the determining of the restricted content by therestricted content module 328, the verifying of the sender by the listverification module 330, and/or the receiving of the senderauthorization by the sender authorization module 332.

The selection access module 336 accesses a viewing selection of a numberof viewing selections for the video message. The credit verificationmodule 338 provides a verification request to verify that a target userhas sufficient credit to receive the video message and/or receivespayment verification in response to the verification request.

The request providing module 340 provides a message viewing request tothe messenger 108 based on the receiving of the viewing selection. Theproviding of the message viewing request to the messenger 108 may bebased on the payment verification performed by the credit verificationmodule 338.

The message receiver module 342 receives the video message from themessenger in response to the providing of the message viewing request.The video presentation module 344 provides the video message forpresentation.

The preview module 346 generates a preview of the video message and/orprovides the preview of the video message for presentation. The storagemodule 348 stores the video message on the target access device 106.

The availability indication module 350 adds an availability indicationof the video message to a digital video recorder (DVR) content listand/or links the availability indication to the video message stored onthe access device. The user indication module 352 provides a userindication on the target access device 106 from the receipt of themessage notification.

The profile access module 354 accesses a user profile associated with auser of the target access device 106. The message providing module 356provides a message notification over the provider network 104 to theadditional access device 114 associated with the user in accordance withthe user profile. The user profile maybe stored in the target accessdevice 106, in the messenger 108, in the database 110, or otherwisestored.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for message notification according to anexample embodiment. The method 400 may be performed by the messenger 108(see FIG. 1) of the content system 100 or otherwise performed.

Source messaging may be enabled with the source access device 102 atblock 402. A video message is received from the source access device 102at block 404. A selection of a target user for the video message isreceived at block 406. Target messaging may be enabled with the targetuser at block 408.

A user profile associated with the target user of the target accessdevice 106 may be accessed at block 410. The user profile may include adevice selection of the access device 300 (e.g., the target accessdevice 106 or the additional access device 114) from a number of accessdevices 300 associated with the target user on which the video messageshould be received.

A message notification of availability of the video message for thetarget access device 106 associated with the target user is provided tothe target user at block 412. The video message may be maintained sothat it may be provided (e.g., streamed).

The video message may be provided to the target user at block 414. Thevideo message may be provided when the target user has the sufficientcredit or otherwise provided. The video message may be provided (e.g.,to the selected access device 300) in accordance with the user profile.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for enabling source messaging accordingto an example embodiment. The method 500 may be performed at block 402(see FIG. 4) or otherwise performed.

An authorization request is received from the source access device 102at block 502. The source access device is authorized to upload the videomessage at block 504. An authorization is provided to the source accessdevice 102 in accordance with the authorization of the source accessdevice 102.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for enabling source messaging accordingto an example embodiment. The method 600 may be performed at block 402(see FIG. 4) or otherwise performed.

A verification request may be received from the sender at block 602. Atblock 604, verification that a sender associated with the source accessdevice 102 has sufficient credit to upload the video message isperformed.

The credit of the sender is adjusted based on the upload of the videomessage at block 606. Payment verification may be provided in accordancewith the adjusting of the credit of the sender at block 608.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for providing a video message accordingto an example embodiment. The method 700 may be performed at block 414(see FIG. 4) or otherwise performed.

A message viewing request is received from the target user of themessage notification at block 702. The selected video message isstreamed for viewing at block 704. The selected video message may bestreamed to the target access device 106, the additional device 114,and/or a different device.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for providing a video message accordingto an example embodiment. The method 800 may be performed at block 414(see FIG. 4) or otherwise performed.

A message download request is received from the target user of themessage notification at block 802. The selected video message isprovided for storage at block 804.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method 900 for enabling target messaging accordingto an example embodiment. The method 900 may be performed at block 408(see FIG. 4) or otherwise performed.

Verification that the target user has sufficient credit to receive theselected video message may be performed at block 902. Credit of thetarget user is adjusted based on the providing of the video message atblock 904.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1000 for enabling target messagingaccording to an example embodiment. The method 1000 may be performed atblock 408 (see FIG. 4) or otherwise performed.

A configuration of the target access device 106 is determined at block1002. The additional access device 114 associated with the target useris identified at block 1004. The identification of the additional accessmay be used to determine the access devices 300 to which the videomessage is provided.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method 1100 for enabling target messagingaccording to an example embodiment. The method 1100 may be performed atblock 408 (see FIG. 4) or otherwise performed.

A selected senders list associated with the target user is accessed atblock 1102. The selected senders list may define the senders that havebeen approved to provide a video message to the target user on theadditional access device 114.

At block 1104, a determination is made of whether a sender of the videomessage is included on the selected senders list. The determination maydetermine whether the video message is provided to the additional accessdevice 114 at block 412 or otherwise retained on the target accessdevice 106.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1200 for message notification according toan example embodiment. The method 1200 may be performed by the sourceaccess device 102 (see FIG. 1) of the content system 100 or otherwiseperformed.

A video message may be recorded at block 1202. The video message may berecorded through a camera interface on the source access device 102 ofthe sender or otherwise recorded.

At block 1204, one or more video messages associated with a user accountof a sender may be provided for selection. A selection of a videomessage is received at block 1206.

Messaging may be enabled at block 1208. The selected video message isuploaded to the messenger 108 at block 1210.

A buddy list maybe provided for presentation at block 1212. The buddylist may include potential target users of the video message.

A designation of a target user for the selected video message isreceived from a user at block 1214. The selection of the receipt may bemade from the buddy list or otherwise made.

A user profile associated with a user of the source access device 102may be accessed at block 1216. The user profile may indicate one or moreaccess devices 300 (e.g., the target access device 106 and/or theadditional access device 114) associated with the target user to whichthe video message should be sent.

At block 1218, a message notification of availability of the selectedvideo message is provided for the target access device 106 associatedwith the target user.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method 1300 for enabling messaging according to anexample embodiment. The method 1300 may be performed at block 1208 (seeFIG. 12) or otherwise performed.

An authorization request to authorize the sender to upload the selectedvideo message is provided at block 1302.

An authorization confirmation is received in response to theauthorization request at block 1304. The uploading of the selected videomessage to the messenger 108 performed during the operations at block1210 (see FIG. 12) may be based on the receiving of the authorizationconfirmation.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method 1400 for enabling messaging according to anexample embodiment. The method 1400 may be performed at block 1208 (seeFIG. 12) or otherwise performed.

At block 1402, a verification request is provided to verify that asender has sufficient credit to upload the selected video message.

Payment verification is received in response to the verification requestat block 1404. The uploading of the selected video message to themessenger 108 performed during the operations at block 1210 (see FIG.12) may be based on the received payment verification.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method 1500 for notification processing accordingto an example embodiment. The method 1500 may be performed by the targetaccess device 106 (see FIG. 1) of the content system 100 or otherwiseperformed.

At block 1502, a message notification associated with a video message isreceived on the target access device 106. An additional user may benotified regarding the message notification at block 1504. Theadditional user may be notified to seek approval for the user of thetarget access device 106 to receive the video message and/or utilize thevideo message. For example, the additional user may be a parent and theuser may be a child.

A sender authorization from the additional user may be received from theadditional user at block 1506. The additional user may provide thesender authorization to approve of the receiving of the video messageand/or utilization of the video message by the user. If the senderauthorization is not received, the video message may be unavailable forselection by the user.

At block 1508, a number of available viewing selections associated withthe video message are provided for presentation through the targetaccess device 106.

In an example embodiment, a determination of whether the video messagecontains restricted content may be made and the viewing selections maybe made based on whether video message contains restricted content. Thedetermination of the content restriction may be based on a providerrating of the video message, speech recognition performed on the videomessage, video recording performed on the video message, and the like.

In an example embodiment, a verification that a sender of the videomessage is on an approved senders list associated with the target usermay be made and the viewing selections may be made based on theverification of the sender.

A viewing selection of the presented viewing selections is accessed forthe video message at block at block 1510. The viewing selection may bestored on the target access device 106, receiving from the number ofviewing selections, or otherwise accessed.

Messaging may be enabled at block 1512. A message viewing request isprovided to the messenger 108 based on the received viewing selection atblock at block 1514. At block 1516, the video message is received fromthe messenger 108 in response to the providing of the message viewingrequest.

A user indication may be provided on the target access device 106 toindicate the receipt of the message notification at block 1518. Thevideo message may be utilized at block 1520.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method 1600 for message utilization according toan example embodiment. The method 1600 may be performed at block 1520(see FIG. 15) or otherwise performed.

A determination may be made at decision block 1602 whether to provide avideo message for presentation. If a determination is made to providethe video message for presentation, the video message may be providedfor presentation at block 1604. If a determination is made not toprovide the video message for presentation at decision block 1602 orupon completion of the operations at block 1604, the method 1600 mayproceed to decision block 1606.

At decision block 1606, a determination maybe made whether to provide apreview. If a determination is made to provide the preview, a preview ofthe video message may be generated at block 1608 and the preview may beprovided for presentation at block 1610. The preview may include, by wayof example, one or more images of the video message or a video clip ofthe video message. If a determination is made not to provide the previewat decision block 1606 or upon completion of the operations at block1610, the method 1600 may proceed to decision block 1612.

A determination may be made at decision block 1612 whether to store thevideo message. If a determination is made to store the video message,the video message may be stored on the target access device 106 at block1614. If a determination is made not to store the video message atdecision block 1612 or upon completion of the operations at block 1614,the method 1600 may proceed to decision block 1616.

At decision block 1616, a determination may be made whether to add anavailability indication. If a determination is made to add theavailability indication, an availability indication of the video messagemay be added to a DVR content list at block 1618 and the availabilityindication may be linked to the video message stored on the accessdevice at block 1620. If a determination is made not to add theavailability indication at decision block 1616 or upon completion of theoperations at block 1620, the method 1600 may terminate.

In an example embodiment, the operations performed at decision block1602, decision block 1606, decision block 1612, and decision block 1616may occur in any order.

FIG. 17 illustrates a method 1700 for notifying according to an exampleembodiment. The method 1700 may be performed at block 1502 (see FIG. 15)or otherwise performed.

A user profile associated with a user of the target access device 106 isaccessed at block 1702. The user profile may be stored on the targetaccess device 106, the messenger 108, in the database 110, or otherwisestored.

A message notification is provided over the provider network 104 to theadditional access device 114 associated with the user in accordance withthe user profile.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example embodiment of an Internet ProtocolTelevision (IPTV) system 1800 in which the content system 100 may bedeployed. However, the content system 100 may be deployed in other typesof IPTV and non-IPTV video systems.

The system 1800 as illustrated may include a client facing tier 1802, anapplication tier 1804, an acquisition tier 1806, and an operations andmanagement tier 1808. Some tiers 1802, 1804, 1806, and 1808 may becoupled to a private network 1810; to a public network 1812, such as theInternet; or to both the private network 1810 and the public network1812. For example, the client-facing tier 1802 maybe coupled to theprivate network 1810. Further, the application tier 1804 may be coupledto the private network 1810 and to the public network 1812. Theacquisition tier 1806 may also be coupled to the private network 1810and to the public network 1812. Additionally, the operations andmanagement tier 1808 may be coupled to the public network 1812.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, some of the various tiers 1802, 1804, 1806,1808 may communicate with each other via the private network 1810 andthe public network 1812. For instance, the client-facing tier 1802 maycommunicate with the application tier 1804 and the acquisition tier 1806via the private network 1810. The application tier 1804 may alsocommunicate with the acquisition tier 1806 via the private network 1810.Further, the application tier 1804 may communicate with the acquisitiontier 1806 and the operations and management tier 1808 via the publicnetwork 1812. Moreover, the acquisition tier 1806 may communicate withthe operations and management tier 1808 via the public network 1812. Ina particular As illustrated in FIG. 18, the client-facing tier 1802 maycommunicate with user equipment via a private access network 1866 (e.g.,the provider network 104 of FIG. 1), such as an Internet ProtocolTelevision (IPTV) access network. In an illustrative embodiment, modems,such as a first modem 1814 and a second modem 1822 may be coupled to theprivate access network 1866. The client-facing tier 1802 may communicatewith a first representative set-top box device 1816 via the first modem1814 and with a second representative set-top box device 1824 via thesecond modem 1822. The client-facing tier 1802 may communicate with alarge number of set-top boxes, such as the representative set-top boxes1816, 1824, (e.g., the access devices 102, 106, 114 of FIG. 1) over awide geographic area, such as a regional area, a metropolitan area, aviewing area, a designated market area or any other suitable geographicarea, market area, or subscriber or customer group that may be supportedby networking the client-facing tier 1802 to numerous set-top boxdevices. In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier, or anyportion thereof, may be included at a video head-end office.

In a particular embodiment, the client-facing tier 1802 may be coupledto the modems 1814, 1822 via fiber optic cables. Alternatively, themodems 1814 and 1822 may be digital subscriber line (DSL) modems thatare coupled to one or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and theclient-facing tier 1802 maybe coupled to the network nodes viafiber-optic cables. Each set-top box device 1816, 1824 may process datareceived via the private access network 1866, via an IPTV softwareplatform, such as Microsoft®. TV IPTV Edition. In another embodiment,representative set-top boxes 1816, 1824 may receive data from privateaccess network 1866 through RF and other cable and/or satellite basednetworks.

Additionally, the first set-top box device 1816 may be coupled to afirst external display device, such as a first television monitor 1818,and the second set-top box device 1824 may be coupled to a secondexternal display device, such as a second television monitor 1826.Moreover, the first set-top box device 1816 may communicate with a firstremote control 1820, and the second set-top box device may communicatewith a second remote control 1828.

In an example, non-limiting embodiment, one or more of set-top boxdevices 1816, 1824 may receive video content, which may include videoand audio portions, from the client-facing tier 1802 via the privateaccess network 1866. The set-top boxes 1816, 1824 may transmit the videocontent to an external display device, such as the television monitors1818, 1826. Further, some of the set-top box devices 1816, 1824 mayinclude a STB processor, such as STB processor 1870, and a STB memorydevice, such as STB memory 1872, which is accessible to the STBprocessor 1870. In one embodiment, a computer program, such as the STBcomputer program 1874, may be embedded within the STB memory device1872. Some set-top box devices 1816, 1824 may also include a videocontent storage module, such as a digital video recorder (DVR) 1876. Ina particular embodiment, the set-top box devices 1816, 1824 maycommunicate commands received from the remote control devices 1820, 1828to the client-facing tier 1802 via the private access network 1866.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 1802 may include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 1830 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 1802 and the private access network 1866 andbetween the client-facing tier 1802 and the private network 1810. Asshown, the CFT switch 1830 is coupled to one or more image and dataservers 1832 that store still images associated with programs of variousIPTV channels. The image and data servers 1832 may also store datarelated to various channels, e.g., types of data related to the channelsand to programs or video content displayed via the channels. In anillustrative embodiment, the image and data servers 1832 maybe a clusterof servers, some of which may store still images, channel andprogram-related data, or any combination thereof. The CFT switch 1830may also be coupled to a terminal server 1834 that provides terminaldevices with a connection point to the private network 1810. In aparticular embodiment, the CFT switch 1830 may also be coupled to one ormore video-on-demand (VOD) servers 1836 that store or provide VODcontent imported by the IPTV system 1800. In an illustrative,non-limiting embodiment, the VOD content servers 1880 may include one ormore unicast servers.

The client-facing tier 1802 may also include one or more video contentservers 1880 that transmit video content requested by viewers via theirset-top boxes 1816, 1824. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment,the video content servers 1880 may include one or more multicastservers.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the application tier 1804 may communicatewith both the private network 1810 and the public network 1812. Theapplication tier 1804 may include a first application tier (APP) switch1838 and a second APP switch 1840. In a particular embodiment, the firstAPP switch 1838 may be coupled to the second APP switch 1840. The firstAPP switch 1838 maybe coupled to an application server 1842 and to anOSS/BSS gateway 1844. In a particular embodiment, the application server1842 may provide applications to the set-top box devices 1816, 1824 viathe private access network 1866, which enable the set-top box devices1816, 1824 to provide functions, such as display, messaging, processingof IPTV data and VOD material, etc. In a particular embodiment, theOSS/BSS gateway 1844 includes operation systems and support (OSS) data,as well as billing systems and support (BSS) data. In one embodiment,the OSS/BSS gateway may provide or restrict access to an OSS/BSS server1864 that stores operations and billing systems data.

Further, the second APP switch 1840 may be coupled to a domaincontroller 1846 that provides web access, for example, to users via thepublic network 1812. For example, the domain controller 1846 may provideremote web access to IPTV account information via the public network1812, which users may access using their personal computers 1868. Thesecond APP switch 1840 may be coupled to a subscriber and system store1848 that includes account information, such as account information thatis associated with users who access the system 1800 via the privatenetwork 1810 or the public network 1812. In a particular embodiment, theapplication tier 1804 may also include a client gateway 1850 thatcommunicates data directly with the client-facing tier 1802. In thisembodiment, the client gateway 1850 may be coupled directly to the CFTswitch 1830. The client gateway 1850 may provide user access to theprivate network 1810 and the tiers coupled thereto.

In a particular embodiment, the set-top box devices 1816, 1824 mayaccess the IPTV system 1800 via the private access network 1866, usinginformation received from the client gateway 1850. In this embodiment,the private access network 1866 may provide security for the privatenetwork 1810. User devices may access the client gateway 1850 via theprivate access network 1866, and the client gateway 1850 may allow suchdevices to access the private network 1810 once the devices areauthenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway 1850 mayprevent unauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-topbox devices from accessing the private network 1810, by denying accessto these devices beyond the private access network 1866.

For example, when the first representative set-top box device 1816accesses the system 1800 via the private access network 1866, the clientgateway 1850 may verify subscriber information by communicating with thesubscriber and system store 1848 via the private network 1810, the firstAPP switch 1838, and the second APP switch 1840. Further, the clientgateway 1850 may verify billing information and status by communicatingwith the OSS/BSS gateway 1844 via the private network 1810 and the firstAPP switch 1838. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 1844 maytransmit a query across the first APP switch 1838, to the second APPswitch 1840, and the second APP switch 1840 may communicate the queryacross the public network 1812 to the OSS/BSS server 1864. After theclient gateway 1850 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, theclient gateway 1850 may allow the set-top box device 1816 access to IPTVcontent and VOD content. If the client gateway 1850 is unable to verifysubscriber information for the set-top box device 1816, e.g., because itis connected to an unauthorized twisted pair, the client gateway 1850may block transmissions to and from the set-top box device 1816 beyondthe private access network 1866.

As indicated in FIG. 18, the acquisition tier 1806 includes anacquisition tier (AQT) switch 1852 that communicates with the privatenetwork 1810. The AQT switch 1852 may also communicate with theoperations and management tier 1808 via the public network 1812. In aparticular embodiment, the AQT switch 1852 maybe coupled to a liveacquisition server 1854 that receives television or movie content, forexample, from content sources 1856 through an encoder 1855. In aparticular embodiment during operation of the IPTV system, the liveacquisition server 1854 may acquire television or movie content. Thelive acquisition server 1854 may transmit the television or moviecontent to the AQT switch 1852 and the AQT switch 1852 may transmit thetelevision or movie content to the CFT switch 1830 via the privatenetwork 1810.

Further, the television or movie content may be transmitted to the videocontent servers 1880, where it may be encoded, formatted, stored, orotherwise manipulated and prepared for communication to the set-top boxdevices 1816, 1824. The CFT switch 1830 may communicate the televisionor movie content to the modems 1814, 1822 via the private access network1866. The set-top box devices 1816, 1824 may receive the television ormovie content via the modems 1814, 1822, and may transmit the televisionor movie content to the television monitors 1818, 1826. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the television ormovie content may be streamed to the set-top box devices 1816, 1824.

Further, the AQT switch may be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 1858 that stores television or movie content received at theacquisition tier 1806 and communicates the stored content to the VODserver 1836 at the client-facing tier 1802 via the private network 1810.Additionally, at the acquisition tier 1806, the video-on-demand (VOD)importer server 1858 may receive content from one or more VOD sourcesoutside the IPTV system 1800, such as movie studios and programmers ofnon-live content. The VOD importer server 1858 may transmit the VODcontent to the AQT switch 1852, and the AQT switch 1852, in turn, maycommunicate the material to the CFT switch 1830 via the private network1810. The VOD content may be stored at one or more servers, such as theVOD server 1836.

When user issue requests for VOD content via the set-top box devices1816, 1824, the requests may be transmitted over the private accessnetwork 1866 to the VOD server 1836, via the CFT switch 1830. Uponreceiving such requests, the VOD server 1836 may retrieve the requestedVOD content and transmit the content to the set-top box devices 1816,1824 across the private access network 1866, via the CFT switch 1830.The set-top box devices 1816, 1824 may transmit the VOD content to thetelevision monitors 1818, 1826. In an illustrative embodiment, video oraudio portions of VOD content may be streamed to the set-top box devices1816, 1824.

FIG. 18 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 1808may include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 1860 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 1808and the public network 1812. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 18,the OMT switch 1860 is coupled to a TV2 server 1862. Additionally, theOMT switch 1860 may be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 1864 and to a simplenetwork management protocol (SNMP) monitor 1878 that monitors networkdevices within or coupled to the IPTV system 1800. In a particularembodiment, the OMT switch 1860 may communicate with the AQT switch 1852via the public network 1812.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 1854 maytransmit the television or movie content to the AQT switch 1852, and theAQT switch 1852, in turn, may transmit the television or movie contentto the OMT switch 1860 via the public network 1812. In this embodiment,the OMT switch 1860 may transmit the television or movie content to theTV2 server 1862 for display to users accessing the user interface at theTV2 server 1862. For example, a user may access the TV2 server 1862using a personal computer (PC) 1868 coupled to the public network 1812.

FIG. 19 shows a diagrammatic representation of machine in the exampleform of a computer system 1900 within which a set of instructions may beexecuted causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methods,processes, operations, or methodologies discussed herein. The messenger108 may be deployed on the computer system 1900. The access devices 102,106, 114, 300 may include the functionality of the computer system 1900.

In an example embodiment, the machine operates as a standalone device ormay be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient machine in server-client network environment, or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. Themachine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer(PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switchor bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions(sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by thatmachine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term“machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines thatindividually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructionsto perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1900 includes a processor 1902 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both),a main memory 1904 and a static memory 1906, which communicate with eachother via a bus 1908. The computer system 1900 may further include avideo display unit 1910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or acathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1900 also includes analphanumeric input device 1912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 1914 (e.g., a mouse), a drive unit 1916, a signal generationdevice 1918 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 1920.

The drive unit 1916 includes a machine-readable medium 1922 on which isstored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 1924) embodyingany one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. Thesoftware 1924 may also reside, completely or at least partially, withinthe main memory 1904 and/or within the processor 1902 during executionthereof by the computer system 1900, the main memory 1904 and theprocessor 1902 also constituting machine-readable media.

The software 1924 may further be transmitted or received over a network1926 via the network interface device 1920.

While the machine-readable medium 1922 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies shown in the various embodiments of the present invention.The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical andmagnetic media, and carrier wave signals.

Certain systems, apparatus, applications or processes are describedherein as including a number of modules or mechanisms. A module or amechanism may be a unit of distinct functionality that can provideinformation to, and receive information from, other modules.Accordingly, the described modules may be regarded as beingcommunicatively coupled. Modules may also initiate communication withinput or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., acollection of information). The modules be implemented as hardwarecircuitry, optical components, single or multi-processor circuits,memory circuits, software program modules and objects, firmware, andcombinations thereof, as appropriate for particular implementations ofvarious embodiments.

Thus, methods and systems for message notification have been described.Although the present invention has been described with reference tospecific example embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a processingsystem including a processor, from a source access device anauthorization request to provide access to a video message; determining,by the processing system, that the source access device hasauthorization and available credit to provide access to the videomessage, the available credit to provide access to the video messagedetermined from a subscriber account; receiving, by the processingsystem, from the source access device a designation of a target user toprovide access to the video message; accessing, by the processingsystem, a user profile associated with the target user, the user profileincluding a device selection of a target access device from a pluralityof access devices associated with the target user; and providing, by theprocessing system, a message notification to the target access device,the notification message indicating an availability of the video messagefor retrieval by the target access device; and providing, by theprocessing system, the video message to the target access deviceresponsive to receiving a message viewing request from the target accessdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting in thesubscriber account the available credit responsive to providing thevideo message to the target access device.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the video message is provided by the source access device. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the providing of the video messagecomprises: receiving a message viewing request from the target user ofthe message notification; and streaming the video message for viewing tothe target access device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the videomessage is provided by a device different from the source access device.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying that the sourceaccess device is on an approved senders list associated with the userprofile.
 7. A device, comprising: a processing system including aprocessor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations,comprising: providing an authorization request to a messenger server toenable access to a video message, wherein the messenger serverdetermines that the device has authorization and available credit toprovide access to the video message, and wherein the available credit toprovide access to the video message is determined from a subscriberaccount; and providing a designation of a target user to the messengerserver to provide access to the video message, wherein the messengerserver accesses a user profile associated with the target user, the userprofile including a device selection of a target access device from aplurality of access devices associated with the target user, and whereina message notification is provided to the target access device, thenotification message indicating an availability of the video message forretrieval by the target access device.
 8. The device of claim 7, whereinthe operations further comprise recording the video message.
 9. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise receiving thevideo message from the messenger server.
 10. The device of claim 7,wherein the operations further comprise providing the video message tothe messenger server, wherein the video message is provided to thetarget access device responsive to receiving a message viewing requestfrom the target access device.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein theavailable credit in the subscriber account is adjusted responsive to thevideo message being provided to the target access device.
 12. The deviceof claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise: providing aselection of a plurality of video messages; and receiving an indicationof a selected video message as the video message for the providing theauthorization request to provide access to the video message.
 13. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise providing thevideo message to the messenger server responsive to the messenger serverdetermining that the device has authorization and available credit toprovide access to the video message.
 14. A device, comprising: aprocessing system including a processor; and a memory that storesexecutable instructions that, when executed by the processing system,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receiving, from amessenger server, a message notification indicating an availability of avideo message for retrieval from a source access device, wherein themessenger server receives the video message from the source device,wherein the messenger server determines that the source access devicehas authorization and available credit to provide access to the videomessage, wherein the source access device designates a target user toprovide access to the video message, and wherein the messenger serveraccesses a user profile associated with the target user, the userprofile including a selection of the device from a plurality of accessdevices associated with the target user; receiving a message viewingrequest to request the video message from the messenger server;providing the message viewing request to the messenger server; andreceiving the video message from the messenger server in response to theproviding of the message viewing request, wherein the messenger serveraccesses the user profile, and wherein the messenger server determines aconfiguration of the video message according to the user profile. 15.The device of claim 14, wherein the messenger server accesses the userprofile responsive to the providing of the message viewing request, andwherein the messenger server determines a configuration of the videomessage according to the user profile.
 16. The device of claim 14,wherein the messenger server notifies an additional user regarding themessage notification and obtains a sender authorization from theadditional user, wherein the obtaining of the plurality of viewingselections is in accordance with the obtaining of the senderauthorization.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise directing the messenger server to provide the messagenotification over a network to another device from the plurality ofaccess devices associated with the target user.
 18. The device of claim14, wherein the operations further comprise providing the video messagefor presentation.
 19. The device of claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: generating a preview of the video message; andproviding the preview of the video message for presentation.
 20. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving averification request from the messenger server to verify that the userprofile has sufficient credit to obtain the video message; and receivinga payment verification in response to the verification request, andwherein the providing of the message viewing request to the messengerserver is based on the payment verification.